Why the Fintech Regulatory Sandbox is a Game Changer

Today ASIC released its consultation paper on the regulatory sandbox to our Fintech
Melbourne community.

It provides details of the plan that allows early stage fintech startups to test their products on
customers.

Companies will still need to apply for an Australia Financial Services License (AFSL) however
for a period of 6 months they will be able to gain traction with their businesses as they work
towards full licensing.

This is a game changer for the local fintech industry as most early stage companies face a
catch-22 situation when starting up. They require funding to gain an AFSL yet are unable to
prove their business models because they do not have one.

Few people seem to appreciate how important this is for the industry.

It’s not about VC money
A common misconception is that accelerating the growth of fintech in Australia is all about
increasing access to venture capital.

With $438 million of investments made in the Australian fintech market in 2015, there are in fact
a plethora of private and corporate venture funds.

However the reality is that investors don’t make investments just on ideas. The expectation is
that entrepreneurs back themselves by putting in their own money and resources to prove their
concept before receiving any significant funding.

This is all well and good for generalist “Uber for cats” startup companies. However in fintech
there is a rigorous and expensive process of legal and regulatory engagement.

In fact, many members within the Fintech Melbourne community have waited up to 2 years
before receiving AFSL approval.

The sandbox enables ideas
Thus most fintech startups never make it past the ideas stage. As per the 2015 Fintech
Census, over 86% of of fintech entrepreneurs are aged 30 and over. The majority have young
families and mortgages.

Asking individuals to give up their livelihoods for up to 2 years just to gain regulatory approval to
begin testing an innovative business model can dissuade even the bravest of individuals. Yet
many still do it.

However it doesn’t have to be that way, and the ASIC regulatory sandbox seeks to provide an
alternative pathway.

Inevitably, many of the fintech companies created as a result of the sandbox will fail. But from a
high level perspective, creating more early stage startups will result in more later stage
companies that could become the next billion dollar Pepperstone or Tyro.

By allowing fintech entrepreneurs to test their ideas in a limited manner prior to receiving a full
license absolutely enables for the fintech ecosystem in Australia.